checking for mites

[slacker361]

ok I have the screened bottom board that you slide the plastic sheet in to check for mites. I think you are supposed to cover it ( the sheet) with a mixture of Vaseline and baby oil . But when should you do this? and how many mites are too many on the sheet?

[iddee]

Pam or other spray cooking oil is soooo much easier.

Mite counts should be compared to each other to see if the count is going up or down.

Also, the time of year, hive population, and other circumstances have to be considered.

One mite count will tell you nothing.

[slacker361]

how long do you leave the "sheet" in the screened bottom board

[iddee]

Check and count every 24 hours for 3 days. Then average the 3 counts.

[slacker361]

ok so I am thinking you would want to do this in cooler weather since the "sheet" would stop the ventilation?

[iddee]

Sorry, but I don't use ventilation. I've never seen it in a tree hive.

[Hethen57]

With or without pam or oil, it will be pretty obvious if you have a mite problem...once you learn to distinguish the mites from everything else that falls throught the screen.  There will either be a few dark red spots about the size of the head of a pin, or there will be lots...mixed in with wax dust, pollen and bee parts.